| > CONCLUSIONS |
Samsung has become the leading company in the Android phone business, and whenever someone's talking about the South Koreans' product portfolio, there are two different models that come to their mind: Galaxy S and Galaxy Note.
The latter is pretty much the best choice if you're looking for a phone with a bigger screen but that can also provide you with something more than a "regular" model does. Galaxy Note makes taking notes on a phone/phablet a breeze with a very advanced stylus, which, for the fourth iteration of the range, received even more improvements and new features.
Samsung Galaxy Note has always been about the premium feeling that it offers to its owner, so for this new release, the South Korean phone maker focused on making this feeling the quintessence of the whole experience with tweaks in several key areas, many borrowed from the smaller Galaxy S6 brother.
As far as the market is concerned, the Note5 has to race against the iPhone 6 Plus, which is currently one of the best-selling devices in the phablet industry despite many people saying that a bigger iPhone makes no sense, but also against other phones from various manufacturers, including LG and its G4.
The Note5 received the green light 11 months after its predecessor, and surprisingly, it is only available in the United States, due to a decision that makes little sense for people across the world. And yet, the device has arrived pretty much all over the world thanks to retailers who struggled to capitalize on the success of this model.
For this review, we got our hands on a gold platinum Samsung Galaxy Note5 with 32 GB of storage space (there are two options available, with 32 GB and 64 GB, and we'll discuss these later in our review). Go on to read our findings on the new Note model.
| Release date | August 2015 |
|---|---|
| OS | Android 5.1.1 |
| CPU | Exynos 7420 / Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 |
| Display | 5.7-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 1440 x 2560 pixels, Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Cameras | Rear; 16-megapixel, 5312 x 2988 pixels, LED Flash, autofocus, OIS, face recognition, HDR
Front; 5-megapixel
|
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
| Storage | 32 GB/64 GB, no microSD card support |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Stylus | S Pen |
As we've said, Samsung's Galaxy Note lineup has always been about the premium feeling it gives you when you're holding one in your hand, so for this model, the South Koreans tried to go one step further with several design improvements.
First and foremost, there's no doubt that the Note5 borrows some design cues from the Galaxy S6, and this thing becomes obvious when you look at its lower part. The headphones jack, the microUSB connector, and the speakers look almost the same as on the S6, which, in their turn, look very similar to those on the iPhone 6.
The back of the phone also comes with some of the ideas used for the first time on the S6. As compared to the Note 4, the heart sensor and the Flash are now placed on the right of the camera, and not below it.
What's more important, however, is that the Note5 gives up on the plastic-that-looks-like-leather cover and instead goes for glass, whose role is to offer that premium feeling we've told you about earlier.
Samsung Galaxy Note5 back view
It
certainly looks good. Not to mention that the gold platinum version we tried out
looks like it's made of metal, and this helps it easily stand out from its competitors. Samsung used extra tough 7000 series aluminum and Gorilla Glass 4 to make the Note5 very durable, and you can definitely see that when you hold it in hand.
And yet, it's not all just milk and honey when it comes to the design of the Note5. Samsung resorted to a little trick that could make you think that it's thinner than it actually is. The side edges are curved, and this makes its profile look really good, but to determine its actual thickness, just look at its top or bottom sides. From this angle, it's pretty obvious that the iPhone 6 Plus is thinner than Samsung's new model, despite the tricks that the South Koreans turned to.
Overall, the Note5 is one good-looking device, and it's pretty clear that Samsung has done a terrific job when it comes to this premium finish. Right now, the Note5 is the only true competitor in terms of design to the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, which clearly excels as far as looks and build quality are concerned.
| Galaxy Note5 | Galaxy Note 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.03 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) | 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm (6.04 x 3.09 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
When it comes to power, the Note5 is a monster. And the spec sheet pretty much speaks for itself.
The device comes with Exynos 7420, which is exactly the same chipset as on the Samsung Galaxy S6, but a huge upgrade over the Exynos 5433 (or the Snapdragon 805 on some models) used for the Note 4.
The Note5 uses the exact configuration as on the Galaxy S6, so it's based on a mix of quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 processors, which are coupled to 4 GB of RAM (up from 3 GB on the S6). The GPU chip is the same - Mali-T760MP8.
This hardware setup makes it very fast on paper, and it feels the same in real life, but at some random times, you would expect the device to be even faster. The somewhat noticeable slowdown is most likely caused by Android 5.1.1, which is installed by default on the Note5, so with some software optimizations, the device can become even faster.
ON PAPER, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT SAMSUNG HAS CREATED A MONSTER.
In terms of hardware, there's nothing to criticize about Samsung's workhorse, but it's pretty clear that bringing Android in the mix, without the right optimizations, could have an impact on its performance.
It does feel fast and responsive, but it's just a matter of time until it gets slower and app crashes occur all of a sudden. If a better optimized or even a different platform were installed on the Note5, Samsung's high-end device could have easily become the fastest phone on the market.
Living proof is the iPhone 6 Plus. With just 1 GB of RAM and the A8 chip and a dual-core configuration running at 1.4 GHz, Apple's phablet feels amazingly responsive, both out of the box and after one month of use. In Note5's case, you get the same feeling at start, but after a time, the device gets noticeable slower, especially if you're the type who installs apps on a regular basis.
| Galaxy Note5 | Galaxy Note 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Exynos 7420: Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (SM-N910S)/Exynos 5433 (SM-N910C): Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 (SM-N910S) Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 1.9 GHz Cortex-A57 (SM-N910C) |
| GPU | Mali-T760MP8 | Adreno 420 (SM-N910S) Mali-T760 (SM-N910C) |
| Memory | 4GB | 3GB |
The 5.7-inch display of the Note5 is definitely the best thing about it. Sharp colors, excellent contrast, and super brightness make the Note5 screen one of the best on the market, and it's clear from the very beginning that Samsung made no compromises in this area.
The device uses a super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 16 million colors, just like the Samsung Galaxy S6 does, and has a resolution of 1440x2560 pixels. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used to make sure that it doesn't break when you drop it (although that happens, but it's kind of reassuring to know that it's there).
The screen provides superior responsiveness, and there wasn't a single time to fail to respond properly to any kind of input, be it a finger or the S Pen.
Note 4, Galaxy S6, and Note5
As compared to its predecessor, the Note5 gets extra points for the high level of peak brightness and better readability in direct sunlight, as Samsung focused specifically on the automatic adjustments system to compensate for ambient light level.
At the same time, the South Korean tried to make the display as energy efficient as possible, as it's pretty clear that a Super AMOLED 5.7-inch display can easily become a battery hog. At some level, Samsung managed to do that, but the screen still eats up a big part of the battery (you can find more information in the battery section).
Samsung Galaxy Note5 comes by default with Android 5.1.1, which is currently the latest version of Google's operating system. The very same version is also available on the Galaxy S6, but the smaller sibling ships with 5.0.2 and can be then upgraded to 5.1.1.
As we've told you before, it's not the device that could get you in trouble, but the operating system, and you might find this the hard way. We did so, and the overall impression wasn't really good.
Android 5.1.1 almost ruined our experience on the Galaxy S6 and was very close to doing the same thing on the Note5. The moment we started using the device for the very first time and configured the first Google account, we got an error saying that "Google Player services has stopped." The account was configured correctly, but the error wasn't quite the thing we expected to get when setting up the phone.
Minutes after that, when firing up the store to install apps, we got another error telling us that the app "could not be downloaded due to an error (940)." We reset, rebooted, configured the device again and everything worked smoothly. Second time's a charm.
Samsung Galaxy Note5 OOBE, plenty of errors all of a sudden
We won't talk too much about the apps that are provided on this phone, because most people know that Android 5.1.1 comes with the usual stuff - browser, email client, Maps, photo manager, clock, contacts, music, video, and the like.
And yet, it's worth mentioning that the Note5 comes with updated S apps, including an overhauled S Pen tool to let you take advantage of the new stylus. As said, you have new air commands at your disposal, as well as the possibility of taking a note on the display even when the phone is locked (more in the S Pen section).
Android 5.1.1 has both good and bad sides, and while it's very fast at first, it tends to become slower as more time passes by. Not to mention the delays you might be experiencing - on WhatsApp, for instance, messages sometimes arrive with a few minutes delay, depending on how lucky you are. The only way to fix this is to install Push Notification Fixer, which is a third-party app that keeps your 3G and Wi-Fi signal always on to make sure that notifications arrive on time on your display.
Overall, Android doesn't seem to be the best choice for Note5, but it does its job at some level. If you're okay with errors that could show up every once in a while, do not mind email and IM delays, and Google services (which you cannot stop or remove) are something that doesn't bother you, then it could be a good option.
As its name suggests, the Galaxy Note5 is a device that's supposed to help you take notes, so the S Pen too received some upgrades for this new model.
The device now comes with a new air command center that allows you to perform a number of tasks on the go and launch S Note, write on the screen, select part of the screen and crop it, or create an action memo. You can also add your own shortcuts to perform actions faster, so it's up to you to decide how to control everything.
But the best part of the new pen is the possibility of writing on the screen even when the phone is locked. Basically, you simply detach the S Pen from the phone, and if the device is locked, you can write on the screen just like on a piece of paper. Samsung has even added a sound that mimics the one generated by a pencil on a piece of paper, so a more genuine feel is supposed to be offered.
Samsung Galaxy Note5 S Pen
There's something that needs to be considered, though. This option isn't turned on by default, and you have to go to Settings > S Pen and enable the option called "Screen off memo."
The same settings screen holds lots of other configuration options, so you can enable the pointer, S Pen alerts, the power saving mode and feedback, including sounds and vibration.
In terms of design, the S Pen seems to be a little bit slippery, but that's only because of the metal finish that Samsung came down to in order to bring it in line with the rest of the phone.
Oh, and be careful not to insert the pen backward because this could break it once and for all due to what seems to be a design flaw.
The Note5 comes with a 3,000 mAh non-removable battery, while its predecessor was equipped with a 3,220 removable battery.
So let's see, we have a new device with more powerful hardware, a better screen that obviously needs more power, and yet, Samsung decided to go for a smaller battery. Yes, as weird as it might sound, that's entirely true. But the final result is not at all disappointing.
Samsung did decide to go for a smaller battery, but only because it spent more time with software optimizations (and even more such optimizations are needed, as we told you, so there's still room for improvement in future OS updates), so the Note5 is capable of getting you through the day with no problem at all.
In real life, a heavy user should end the day with around 30 to 35 percent of battery left from a full charge in the morning, but with moderate use, the Note5 is capable of lasting for around two days easily.
ON MODERATE USE, THE NOTE5 CAN LAST FOR TWO DAYS, BUT A HEAVY USER CAN BRING IT DOWN IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.
At first glance, the Note5 indeed excels in terms of battery life, but it's still behind its rivals. Apple's iPhone 6 Plus offers greater autonomy, and during our testing process, it ended the day with about 10 percent over Samsung's phablet, in the exact same usage conditions.
But this isn't necessarily a problem because the Note5 still has impressive battery figures. And plus, it has a stylus, the iPhone doesn't, it has higher processing power, and a better quality screen. On the other hand, Apple's software optimizations for battery life are out of this world.
As far as recharging is concerned, Note5 supports Samsung's well-known fast charging system, so it jumps from 0 to 80 percent in approximately one hour. During this whole time, the device tends to get very hot, but it's only because the battery is charged at full speed. The very same somewhat mild heating also happens during phone calls, but nothing out of the ordinary. Wireless charging is also available.
The Note5 is Samsung's most advanced handset right now, so it comes with the best the South Koreans have to offer, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB 2.0, 4G support, and a fingerprint sensor (which can be used to secure the device in case you want to set up a VPN connection).
In terms of calls quality, HD calls are also being supported and you're notified on the screen whenever you receive a call from another device that comes with such functionality. Voice calls are really good on the Note5, but at the other end, your voice might be distorted due to what seems to be an odd mix of poor cellular coverage and microphones that aren't perfectly optimized for calls full of background noise.
And speaking of audio quality, the Note5 lacks front-facing stereo speakers, which is kind of awkward for a device with such a terrific screen. Obviously, many Note5 owners would use the device to watch videos and clips, so the lack of front-facing speakers is very surprising, especially because we're talking about the most expensive model in Samsung's lineup.
The Note5 comes with the same camera as the Galaxy S6, so if you've previously owned the smaller model, there's no surprise here.
First of all, you get a 16-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, autofocus, and an LED flash, and photos are shot in 5312x2988 pixel resolution. There are obviously several other modern features for the camera, including face detection, panorama, HDR, and touch focus.
Samsung Galaxy Note5 camera sample
The secondary camera is a 5-megapixel unit that produces photos of a decent quality, but this one is mostly there for selfies (which we doubt many businessmen would do) and for video calls (more likely for Note5's target audience).
In terms of video recording, there are several resolution settings available, namely VGA, HD, full HD, full HD at 60 FPS, QHD, and UDH. It's important to know, however, that video recording in UHD, QHD, and FHD does not support HDR, video effects, video stabilization, tracking AF, and taking a picture while recording.
The camera is above the average, but there are times when it's really hard to be impressed. In low-light conditions or in places without natural light, the camera uses software processing to adjust colors, and in many cases, they aren't exactly accurately reproduced. People's faces, for instance, can look really artificial, just like you were wearing makeup.
Note5 photo shot in optimal light conditions
And the same Note5 photo shot in low light
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY (99 Images)
The Good
The Samsung Galaxy Note5 has pretty much the most powerful hardware you can find in a mobile device at the moment. There's no better option right now and the spec sheet says it all: 4 GB of RAM, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57, a super AMOLED 5.7-inch display, and excellent battery life for its size.
The Note5 makes no compromise in terms of hardware and that's what Samsung probably planned from the very beginning. It's a device aimed at businessmen who don't want to make compromises, so why offer them a phone that in one way or another could force them to do such a thing?
For this new model, the South Koreans focused on the key areas of the device and improved them significantly, and probably, the design of the phone is the living proof.
As compared to its predecessor, the Note5 looks a lot more modern and fresh, adopting some of the design cues used on the smaller Galaxy S6. That's actually a good thing. The S6 is a beautifully crafted device, and since it's the little brother of the new Note, borrowing design cues from one device to another is quite a good idea.
The Bad
If there's something we would change about the Note5, there's no doubt it's the operating system. If you read the other Note5 reviews online, nobody says anything negative about Android, but we all know that, in one way or another, it tends to get slower, flood you with errors, and in the end, ruin the whole experience.
Sure, there will always be those users claiming they're running the same version of Android since two years ago and have no problem, but Android is far from being a flawless mobile platform. And many of you know that.
On the Note5, Android causes pretty much the same problems as on the other Samsung devices. There's the delay that you could have when getting emails or WhatsApp messages, there are also the errors that could show up all of a sudden for apps that stop working, and last but not least, there are the Google services that must be running on your device no matter if you want them or not.
The first time we started the Note5 and tried to configure an account, we got an error saying that Google Play Services stopped, which was kind of weird, given the fact that the account was actually configured correctly. Only minutes before writing this review, the buttons at the bottom of the screen stopped responding, even though the phone was still working fine.
The idea is that the Note5 deserves a better OS. Right now, Samsung is almost all about Android, but the company needs to take the matter in its own hands and develop, optimize, and release its own version of the OS. This way, it could finally offer customers paying hundreds of dollars for a business device the bloatware-free, fast, and reliable OS they are expecting.
And last but not least, Samsung's decision to launch the Note5 in just two storage options, 32GB or 64GB, but without offering microSD card support, is really odd. A 128GB version would have been the better choice for many people out there, but given that the company has recently decided to drop the 128GB version of the Galaxy S6, the South Koreans most likely believed such a flavor would sell poorly.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy Note5 is clearly a sign of evolution from its predecessor, and if you're looking to buy a device that provides you with the full businessman package and runs Android, this is clearly the best option. Not necessarily because it excels in every respect, but because there's nothing better on the market right now.
But if Android is not a priority for you, then you might want to have a look somewhere else too.
The iPhone 6 Plus doesn't have the powerful hardware that the Galaxy Note5 hides under the hood (the upcoming 6S Plus might though), but the software optimizations that Apple came to are absolutely stunning.
With an 8-megapixel camera, the i6 shoots photos that are even better than the Note5, and the performance of iOS is clearly above Android 5.1.1. This isn't a rant, but the feeling you get when comparing the two. A Galaxy Note5 with iOS would probably be the best device on Earth, but we all know that's not going to happen this millennium.
Right now, the Note5 might impress only fans of the series, but it's hard to believe that it could win the hearts of those coming from a different platform. It has the S Pen, an accessory that no other business device currently has, but that's not enough to compensate for the problems you might experience in the long term.
The Galaxy S6 was a perfectly fine device when it launched with Android 5.0.2. Soon after that, the device received the update to 5.1.1 and it all turned out to be a huge fiasco. Poor battery life, apps that crashes of all a sudden, and various errors displayed when doing simple things. That's the biggest risk that the Note5 is exposed to. 5.1.1 is pre-installed on the device, but if the same direction as in S6's case is maintained for the Marshmallow rollout, things are very unlikely to go well for the new phablet
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